All these years later, the Macbook Air is still Apple's most popular laptop

[TNice]

Hi, I've been watching this thread for a while and, getting really nervous. Once burnt, twice shy. I'd been wanting an Apple Watch, Series 2 stainless, for well over a year and last September thought I'd get one, right after they announced the 3. That day, they pulled the 2 SS. Lesson learned (and ugly red-dot crown 3 series AW purchased).

So, even though I have a perfectly functioning 2012 MacBook Air, which I use for work at least 50 hours/week, I've just placed an order for a new one. I know I'd always regret not pulling the trigger if there were an announcement of no more MacBook Air and, they disappeared immediately from the Apple site. I wanted 512 storage (mine's only 256 and is admittedly, limiting). Even if they were still available at Best Buy et al after an Apple announcement/removal from Apple online store, they wouldn't be the 512 2.2 i7 configuration that I want.

I love my Air. It's my full-time workhorse machine. Only computer I have. Gave my daughter my 2013 11" Air so, now, we're fully Air'ed and I'm hoping this will see us well into the future. No iffy keyboards, dongles, non-magsafe chargers for me. No retina either but, whatever. Long live the Air and, thank you Macrumors community for providing the thoughtful insights, opinions and, yes, rumours, that help me make most of my Apple buying decisions!

p.s. I also went to my cell phone provider and upgraded from my 6+ to a 7+ 128 iPhone today. Another "get it before its gone" semi-panic purchase. Maybe I need to STOP reading Macrumors, lol.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Hi, I've been watching this thread for a while and, getting really nervous. Once burnt, twice shy. I'd been wanting an Apple Watch, Series 2 stainless, for well over a year and last September thought I'd get one, right after they announced the 3. That day, they pulled the 2 SS. Lesson learned (and ugly red-dot crown 3 series AW purchased).

So, even though I have a perfectly functioning 2012 MacBook Air, which I use for work at least 50 hours/week, I've just placed an order for a new one. I know I'd always regret not pulling the trigger if there were an announcement of no more MacBook Air and, they disappeared immediately from the Apple site. I wanted 512 storage (mine's only 256 and is admittedly, limiting). Even if they were still available at Best Buy et al after an Apple announcement/removal from Apple online store, they wouldn't be the 512 2.2 i7 configuration that I want.

I love my Air. It's my full-time workhorse machine. Only computer I have. Gave my daughter my 2013 11" Air so, now, we're fully Air'ed and I'm hoping this will see us well into the future. No iffy keyboards, dongles, non-magsafe chargers for me. No retina either but, whatever. Long live the Air and, thank you Macrumors community for providing the thoughtful insights, opinions and, yes, rumours, that help me make most of my Apple buying decisions!

p.s. I also went to my cell phone provider and upgraded from my 6+ to a 7+ 128 iPhone today. Another "get it before its gone" semi-panic purchase. Maybe I need to STOP reading Macrumors, lol.

Looks like all your Christmas bonus has gone this week. Enjoy your Air. Mine is also the 512 hard drive, but most of my stuff is saved on the server at work.

 

[rforno]

I bought a (discounted) new 2017 MBAir on Black Friday to replace my 2013 one. I love the little guy --- frm Magsafe to the form factor to the keyboard to the ports, it's a perfect mobile machine for me when I'm away from my iMacs. For what it does in my workflow, the display is fine imho, too.

 

[Macdctr]

Even if Apple stops selling MacBook Airs I don't see the need to buy one just because Apple is going to possibly stop selling them in the near future. If the need ever comes where I have to buy another one I will find one without having to pay full price for them...

 

[TNice]

Looks like all your Christmas bonus has gone this week. Enjoy your Air. Mine is also the 512 hard drive, but most of my stuff is saved on the server at work.

You've got it! I consider it a reinvestment of the bonus.
[doublepost=1518402987][/doublepost]

Even if Apple stops selling MacBook Airs I don't see the need to buy one just because Apple is going to possibly stop selling them in the near future. If the need ever comes where I have to buy another one I will find one without having to pay full price for them...

Spec'ed/maxed the way you want? AppleCare eligible/included? Maybe. Maybe not. I wasn't willing to take that chance and maybe your needs/wants are lesser than mine. As I said, I've missed out once on my chosen Apple product. I won't do it again.

 

[Macdctr]

Spec'ed/maxed the way you want? AppleCare eligible/included? Maybe. Maybe not. I wasn't willing to take that chance and maybe your needs/wants are lesser than mine. As I said, I've missed out once on my chosen Apple product. I won't do it again.

There is nothing like going thru that "new computer experience" when you order from Apple. Been there done that but I realized that over the years if you chose to buy a fully spec'd out computer you can spend more than $3k for that computer. Over time you will not get your money back which is why I stopped buying brand new Macs from Apple after 2007. I guess for me it's the "chase" that keeps me going and the challenge of getting that computer set up just the way I want it after I acquire it. I realize for some going the route I have gone is not an option as they are also concerned with having AppleCare for their computer. In my experience, I have not had any issues with my computers and I take my laptop (Air or Pro) on travel with me whenever I am tasked to travel for work. If something happens I can easily pick another computer I have available and fix the one that broke...

As for the last MacBook Air? If this year is the last year Apple produces the MacBook Air then in a few years I will probably snag a used spec'd MacBook Air for much cheaper than what it sells... Then I will have one in my Mac collection

 

[TNice]

There is nothing like going thru that "new computer experience" when you order from Apple. Been there done that but I realized that over the years if you chose to buy a fully spec'd out computer you can spend more than $3k for that computer. Over time you will not get your money back which is why I stopped buying brand new Macs from Apple after 2007. I guess for me it's the "chase" that keeps me going and the challenge of getting that computer set up just the way I want it after I acquire it. I realize for some going the route I have gone is not an option as they are also concerned with having AppleCare for their computer. In my experience, I have not had any issues with my computers and I take my laptop (Air or Pro) on travel with me whenever I am tasked to travel for work. If something happens I can easily pick another computer I have available and fix the one that broke...

As for the last MacBook Air? If this year is the last year Apple produces the MacBook Air then in a few years I will probably snag a used spec'd MacBook Air for much cheaper than what it sells... Then I will have one in my Mac collection

I too travel daily with my MacBook Air for work and, internationally, annually, again, working with my Air. I too have had no issues. I too love the thrill of the chase and my preferred shops are thrift, second-hand, vintage, eBay et al but, not for my tech.

I also know what I like and I'm willing pay for both exactly what I want and, in the case of AppleCare, peace-of-mind extended warranties. It's the only product, from toasters through TVs, right up to cars, for which I purchase extended warranty. Well worth the minimal cost IMO. Yes, my opinion, not everyones. In the case of iPhones, AppleCare has paid for itself many times over for myself and my family. In the case of my Airs, never needed it but, just like having it.

Oh, btw, a fully-spec'ed Air is nowhere near $3K. I didn't make my purchase because it's new, because it's shiny, because I'm a child who likes a new toy and enjoys the "new computer experience". This is most certainly not my first Apple new computer purchase, far from it, however, it may be my last.

Sounds like you're very comfortable and happy with your choices, as am I. To each his/her own. I'm not judging nor disparaging anyone else's way forward. Just sharing mine as a thank you to those here, who influenced me in my decision to purchase a MacBook Air at this time.

 

[Macdctr]

Oh, btw, a fully-spec'ed Air is nowhere near $3K.

No but a fully spec’d 15 inch MacBook Pro with Retina display will run about $4200 brand new from Apple. What I was refereing to in my post was my spec'd mid 2012 Retina 15 inch MacBook Pro (see sig) which initially cost $3299 from Apple - I paid $1k for almost 3 years ago. I should have been more specific when I initially posted.

Sounds like you're very comfortable and happy with your choices, as am I. To each his/her own. I'm not judging nor disparaging anyone else's way forward. Just sharing mine as a thank you to those here, who influenced me in my decision to purchase a MacBook Air at this time.

I do agree to each their own regarding choices they make. At the end a person has to feel good about the choices they make. I also feel a forum is a great place to “share” information and a user’s experience so everyone can benefit Appreciate your feedback.

 

[Acronyc]

Hi, I've been watching this thread for a while and, getting really nervous. Once burnt, twice shy. I'd been wanting an Apple Watch, Series 2 stainless, for well over a year and last September thought I'd get one, right after they announced the 3. That day, they pulled the 2 SS. Lesson learned (and ugly red-dot crown 3 series AW purchased).

So, even though I have a perfectly functioning 2012 MacBook Air, which I use for work at least 50 hours/week, I've just placed an order for a new one. I know I'd always regret not pulling the trigger if there were an announcement of no more MacBook Air and, they disappeared immediately from the Apple site. I wanted 512 storage (mine's only 256 and is admittedly, limiting). Even if they were still available at Best Buy et al after an Apple announcement/removal from Apple online store, they wouldn't be the 512 2.2 i7 configuration that I want.

I love my Air. It's my full-time workhorse machine. Only computer I have. Gave my daughter my 2013 11" Air so, now, we're fully Air'ed and I'm hoping this will see us well into the future. No iffy keyboards, dongles, non-magsafe chargers for me. No retina either but, whatever. Long live the Air and, thank you Macrumors community for providing the thoughtful insights, opinions and, yes, rumours, that help me make most of my Apple buying decisions!

p.s. I also went to my cell phone provider and upgraded from my 6+ to a 7+ 128 iPhone today. Another "get it before its gone" semi-panic purchase. Maybe I need to STOP reading Macrumors, lol.

My first Mac was a 2010 11" MacBook Air with the max config at the time. I loved that little machine and it was my main computer for over two years. After I moved to a 15" MBP in 2012 I gifted my Air to a relative where it saw a few more years of service before a problem developing with the screen.

I'm on a 13" 2016 MBP now but I still always wanted to have an 11" as a backup and easy travel machine. There was something about that computer that I just really loved so much. When Apple stopped selling the 11" there were some models available on the refurb store. I decided against getting one because I didn't really need it, but have grown to regret it. I wish I snapped up a new/refurb one when I had the chance, even just for nostalgic value.

 

[OldEditor]

" ... I'm on a 13" 2016 MBP now but I still always wanted to have an 11" as a backup and easy travel machine. There was something about that computer that I just really loved so much. When Apple stopped selling the 11" there were some models available on the refurb store. I decided against getting one because I didn't really need it, but have grown to regret it. I wish I snapped up a new/refurb one when I had the chance, even just for nostalgic value.

Almost exactly how I returned to the world of Mac.
Found myself wanting my own notebook (not a company issue) and desired great portability, stability/reliability, ease of use, etc. I do a lot of writing and text editing and am not a great fan of tablets.
In short, I wanted something small and simple that just worked ... and, please, a decent keyboard. I'd used the 11" MBAs at a previous employer and got to where I really liked the little machines.
Did some online reading and shopping and decided to risk a refurb from Mac of All Trades. Paid $650 for an early '14 11-inch listed as "excellent" condition. Maybe I paid a bit much and maybe I lucked out on a particular unit, but got a machine spotless inside and out and running smooth & easy.
When that little machine dies or is no longer sufficient, I'm going to be sad.
My company-issue iPad, for the most part, stays on my credenza at work.
I'm getting done what I need to get done, carrying a light bag and feeling like I saved a few bucks. I'm marking it in the "win" column.

 

[NUFC2025]

I have just bought a second hand Air 2013 13” model just this week to replace my 2008 MacBook.
Really happy with the purchase.

I need to find a use for the black MacBook as it will just sit on my desk and never get used. I was thinking of running it as a Plex server.

 

[sracer]

I have just bought a second hand Air 2013 13” model just this week to replace my 2008 MacBook.
Really happy with the purchase.

I need to find a use for the black MacBook as it will just sit on my desk and never get used. I was thinking of running it as a Plex server.

A Plex server is a terrific use for that macbook.

 

[Macnoob273]

Im currently looking to buy a macbook pro or air, im coming from pc and want to buy for battery as I go to grad school but also want something powerful enough for some time pass but battery is important to me. What are your suggestions?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

When I was last home on leave - a few weeks ago - I ordered (and paid for) a CTO maxed-out MBA (512 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, Core i7) with Applecare and Office for Mac.

I adore my current 11" MBA, (which dates from 2014) but it is beginning to show its age a little, as the battery will now give 5-6 hours rather than the eight I used to be able to call upon.

As others on this thread have already pointed out, even those who worked in the Apple shop praised it for its reliability "MBAs never come in for repairs" I was told, whereas some of the more recent models display disturbingly diva like qualities.

Now, I like the MBP 13" (non-Touchbar - but that USB-C stuff and the keyboard are issues), and yes, the form factor of the rMB is gorgeous and it is lovely and light, but, but, but, again, temperamental keyboards don't mesh with my travelling lifestyle, and the one solitary port along with the USB-C - which would require dongles aplenty - make it an inappropriate purchase for now.

Again, like some who have already posted, I do not want to awaken next autumn to find the MBA discontinued; the 11" MBA - which I am writing this post on - was abruptly discontinued just when I was beginning to contemplate ordering another one.

Im currently looking to buy a macbook pro or air, im coming from pc and want to buy for battery as I go to grad school but also want something powerful enough for some time pass but battery is important to me. What are your suggestions?

Get a refurbished model from Apple, (decent discount and all of the warranties of a new device); my advice would be to go for 8 GB RAM, and a larger memory than can be found in the base model of 128 GB; I'd suggest that you go for at least 256 GB, 512 if funds allow.